A little sign during a party celebrating the new no smoking regulations Thursday July 15, 2010 at Lakeshore Lanes. Photo by Gary C. Klein/The Sheboygan Press

EDITOR: It may be hard to believe, but Wisconsin's landmark smoke-free workplace law turned 3 years old this month.

Today, many take it for granted that smoking isn't allowed in Wisconsin bars and restaurants, but it wasn't that long ago that you had to choose between smoking or no-smoking sections at restaurants or avoid some places altogether because they were simply too smoky. Now, because of the smoke-free air law, Wisconsin's workers are healthier, and everyone in central Wisconsin is able to enjoy a night out with family and friends without risking exposure to secondhand smoke. I know I love visiting local restaurants so much more now that they are smoke-free.

The benefits of the smoke-free law are not limited to healthier workplaces. More and more families are also making their homes smoke-free. Since the law took effect, secondhand smoke exposure inside the home has fallen from 13 percent to 7 percent, and the number of homes in Wisconsin with smoke-free rules has increased from 74 percent to 80 percent.

Perhaps the greatest benefit from the smoke-free law is that fewer of our kids are smoking. Since 2010, high school smoking has dropped 26 percent and middle school smoking fell 36 percent.

Judging from its three short years of existence, it's clear that the smoke-free law's public health impact will only continue to grow in the years ahead. Simply put, Wisconsin is better - and far healthier - smoke-free.

Dot Kalmon,

Central Wisconsin Tobacco-Free Coalition,

Wausau

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Letter: Wisconsin is better off smoke-free

EDITOR: It may be hard to believe, but Wisconsin's landmark smoke-free workplace law turned 3 years old this month.

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